How to Find Home Repair Grants in California
In Search of Home Repair Grants in California
Is this mission impossible? Finding home repair grants exhausting? It may not be actually. There are several sources of home repair grants in California, each with its own eligibility criteria, application process, and funding availability. Some of the most common sources are:
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development: This federal agency offers the Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants program, also known as the Section 504 Home Repair program, to help very-low-income homeowners in rural areas to repair, improve, or modernize their homes or remove health and safety hazards. The program provides loans of up to $40,000 and grants of up to $10,000, which can be combined for up to $50,000 in assistance. The loans have a fixed interest rate of 1% and a repayment term of 20 years. The grants are only available to homeowners who are aged 62 or older and cannot repay a loan. The program is open year-round, and applications are processed in the order they are received. To apply, homeowners must contact their local USDA Rural Development office.
- California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD): This state agency administers several programs that provide grants and loans for home repairs, such as the CalHome Program, the Mobilehome Rehabilitation Program, the Mobilehome Park Rehabilitation and Resident Ownership Program, and the Home Investment Partnerships Program. These programs target low-income homeowners, mobilehome owners, and mobilehome park residents, and offer assistance for various types of repairs, such as structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, accessibility, energy efficiency, and seismic safety. The amount and terms of the assistance vary by program and by the local agencies or organizations that administer them. To apply, homeowners must contact the local agencies or organizations that participate in these programs.
- Rebuilding Together: This is a national non-profit organization that operates in several counties in California, such as Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Francisco, and Sacramento. The organization provides free home repairs and modifications for low-income homeowners, especially those who are elderly, disabled, veterans, or families with children. The organization relies on volunteers, donations, and partnerships to complete the home repairs, which typically include roofing, flooring, painting, plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, landscaping, and accessibility. The organization accepts applications year-round, but the home repairs are usually done in April during the National Rebuilding Month. To apply, homeowners must contact their local Rebuilding Together affiliate.
Additional Resources and Support Specific to California
If you need more information or assistance with home repair grants or other housing issues in California, you may contact or visit some of the following resources and support services, such as:
- California Grants Portal: This is a website that provides a comprehensive list of all grants and loans offered by California state agencies on a competitive or first-come basis. You can search, filter, and compare the grants and loans by category, agency, status, and deadline. You can also sign up for email alerts and notifications about new or updated grants and loans.
- California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA): This is a state agency that provides affordable housing financing and programs for homebuyers and homeowners in California. You can find information about the agency, the programs, the eligibility criteria, the application process, and the contact details on their website. You can also call or visit their local offices or partners.
- California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA): This is a state agency that regulates and licenses various professions and businesses that provide home improvement and repair services, such as contractors, electricians, plumbers, and landscapers. You can find information about the agency, the regulations, the licenses, the complaints, and the contact details on their website. You can also call or visit their local offices or bureaus.
Charities and Organizations that Help with Home Repair Grants in California
There are many charities and non-government organizations that help with home repair grants in California. Some of them are:
- Home Repairs Ministries: This organization provides critical home repairs and modifications for low-income widows, single mothers, seniors, and people with disabilities. They have completed over 200 projects per year to create safe and healthy home environments.
- Habitat for Humanity: This charity builds houses for low-income families who cannot afford to do it themselves. They also offer homeowners assistance with repairs. The repairs are completed by volunteers, who are usually from the community where the house is being built.
- Innovative Technology Grants: These are grants offered by the California Energy Commission to support the development and demonstration of innovative energy technologies that can reduce energy costs, improve air quality, and enhance the reliability of the state’s electricity system.
- Chico’s Housing Rehabilitation Program: This is a local program that provides low-interest loans to low and moderate income homeowners for home repairs and improvements. The program covers repairs such as roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, windows, doors, insulation, and accessibility.
These are some of the charities and non-government organizations that help with home repair grants in California. You can find more information about them and their eligibility criteria on their websites or by contacting them directly. You may also check Housing Assistance for Seniors in California and Grants for Seniors in California to get more information on housing assistance and other available programs.